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News from the Library of Congress

Contact: Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

April 17, 1995

Herman Wouk To Be Honored at Library of Congress Symposium

"The Historical Novel: A Symposium Honoring Herman Wouk," a
program sponsored by the Center for the Book, will be held at the
Library of Congress on Monday, May 15, at 2 p.m. in the Mumford
Room on the sixth floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence
Ave. S.E. The symposium is free and open to the public. No
tickets are required.

Some of the questions that will be addressed are: What is
the place of the historical novel in belles lettres? What are
the risks in projecting history through fiction? How can serious
imaginative literature deal with the epic sweep of events in the
twentieth century? Why is the historical novel so popular with
readers and so unpopular with most scholars and critics? What
are the distinguishing traits of the few historical novels that
have endured?

"Herman Wouk is one of America's best-known and most popular
writers," said John Y. Cole, director of the Center for the Book.
"Through epics such as The Winds of War and War and
Remembrance and his more recent The Hope and The Glory,
along with earlier novels such as Marjorie Morningstar, he has
helped shape the historical novel as we know it."

In addition to Mr. Wouk, symposium participants will include
writers and historians Emilie Buchwald, Robert Caro, Alan Cheuse,
Christopher Collier, George Garrett, Martin Gilbert, David
McCullough, Darden Asbury Pyron, William Safire, Mary Lee Settle,
and James West III.

The Center for the Book was established in 1977 to stimulate
public interest in books, reading, literacy, and libraries. Its
program, which is supported mostly by private funds, reaches into
every region of the country through a network of 29 affiliated
state centers and 121 national educational and civic
organizations.

Interpreting services (American Sign Language, Contact
Signing, Oral and Tactile) will be provided if requested five
business days in advance of the event. Call (202) 707-6362 TTY
and voice to make a specific request. For other ADA
accommodations please contact the Disability Employment Program
office at (202) 707-9948 TTY and (202) 707-7544 voice.